František Švihlík: A Life on Stage and Screen

František Švihlík (August 23, 1941 – June 20, 2018) was a Czech actor whose career spanned decades, encompassing theater, film, and television. While perhaps best known to modern audiences for his role as police photographer Čenda Němec in the popular series Četnické humoresky, Švihlík’s journey involved numerous regional theater engagements and a dedication to his craft despite early setbacks.

Early Life and Training

Born in Horní Měcholupy, then an independent municipality near Prague, Švihlík initially trained as an electromechanic, working in the field while simultaneously pursuing his passion for theater. He dedicated two years to amateur theater with the Máj group in Prague’s Vinohrady district.¹ He attempted to gain admission to both the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague (DAMU) and the Janáček Academy of Performing Arts in Brno (JAMU), but was unsuccessful.¹

Regional Theater Years

Švihlík began his professional acting career at the Krušnohorské Puppet Theater in Teplice (1962-1963), followed by two years at the Krajská loutková scéna in Liberec (1963-1965).¹ He then spent several years performing with various regional theaters, including the Severomoravské divadlo in Šumperk, the Západočeské divadlo in Cheb, and the Horácké divadlo in Jihlava.¹ His travels also took him to Ústí nad Labem, Český Těšín, and Pardubice before a long-term engagement at the Městské oblastní divadlo in Kladno.

Return to Prague and Later Career

After more than a quarter-century performing outside of Prague, Švihlík secured a position at the Městská divadla pražská (Municipal Theatres of Prague) in 1987, where he remained until his retirement.¹ He continued to guest star at the Východočeské divadlo (East Bohemian Theatre) in Pardubice, appearing in roles such as Jan Hus and Kean IV.²

Film and Television Roles

Švihlík’s filmography, while not extensive due to his focus on regional theater, included a debut role as a guard in the fairytale Jak se budí princezny (1977). He also appeared in Jiří Svoboda’s films Papilio and Curse of the House of Hajnů, and Vít Olmer’s Antonyho šance (1986) and Bony a klid (1987).¹ He recalled that audiences often recognized him for his role as Karel, the moneylender in Bony a klid, and appreciated the film’s altered ending, which was added at the director’s suggestion.¹

However, it was his portrayal of strážmistr Čenda Němec, the police photographer in the television series Četnické humoresky (2000, 2003, 2007), that brought him widespread recognition.² He also served as an assistant director on the series and contributed to a book about its production.

Later Life and Death

In his later years, Švihlík lived in Jitkov, Havlíčkobrodsko, and enjoyed photography and reading.³ He passed away on June 20, 2018, after a long illness, at the age of 76.²